Bishop Emmanuel Obbo new Tororo Archbishop

By Juliet Lukwago

Pope Francis has named Bishop Emmanuel Obbo of Soroti Diocese as the new Archbishop of Tororo, replacing Archbishop Denis Lote Kiwanuka (down right) who has retired after reaching the age of 75 years.

“Today, the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Tororo (area 8,837, population 3,251,000, Catholics 705,363, priests 95, religious 227) Uganda, presented by Archbishop Denis Kiwanuka Lote, upon reaching the age limit. true

"He is succeeded by Bishop Emmanuel Obbo, formerly Bishop of Soroti, Uganda,” said the Vatican Information service on Thursday.

Tororo Archdiocese includes the Catholic dioceses of Soroti, Jinja, Moroto and Kotido. There are four archdioceses in Uganda, each headed by an archbishop.

According to executive secretary of social communication of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Fr Phillip Odii, the appointment was communicated by the Pope Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume.

In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI appointed the then Bishop of Kotido Dennis Kiwanuka, as the Arcbishop of Tororo Archdiocese, Most Rev. James Odongo.

On the same day, the Pope also appointed Emmanuel Obbo as the Bishop of Soroti replacing Rt. Rev. Erasmus Wandera.

Who is the new Archbishop?

Bishop Emmanuel Obbo, was born in Nagongera Parish (Tororo) on October 7, 1952 to Pius Othieno and Pauline Awor, both deceased.

He attended Minor Seminary of the Apostles of Jesus, Nadiket (Moroto) and in 1979 was admitted to First Vows at the Institute of the Apostles of Jesus. In 1980-1982 he studied Philosophy and in 1982-1986 studied Theology at the Philosophy and Theological Schools of the Apostles of Jesus in Nairobi, Kenya.

He was ordained a priest on December 13, 1985 in Nagongera Parish. In 1986-1987 he was appointed Assistant Master of Novices at the Apostles of Jesus Novitiate in Moroto.

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Papal envoy to Uganda, Michael August Blume and other bishops at the Secretariat in Nsambya recently. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

In 1988-1991, he studied Philosophy at the Pontifical Urban University, Rome obtaining his Licenciate and Doctorate.

He served as Rector of the Philosophy School of the Apostles of Jesus, Nairobi before becoming the Vicar General and Pastoral Co-ordinator of the Institute of the Apostles of Jesus.

He also served as the Rector of the Apostles of Jesus Minor Seminary, Nadiket in Moroto Diocese. Following the resignation of Bishop Erasmus Wandera as Bishop of Soroti Diocese, Emmanuel Obbo was named the new Bishop of Soroti.

Archbishop Kiwanuka

The outgoing Archbishop Denis Kiwanuka, was born on March 25, 1938 in Pallisa. He studied at Nagongera and Nyenga minor seminaries before he joined St. Mary’s Ggaba National Seminary for his Philosophical and Theological studies.

He was ordained a priest on December 19, 1965.

He served as Assistant Parish Priest before he was posted as a teacher at the Minor Seminary of Nagongera. He later obtained a Masters in Theology at the “Maryknoll” Theology school, New York University and a Masters in the Science of Education at Fordam University.

He served as Vicar General of Tororo Diocese before his appointment as the first Bishop of Kotido diocese in 1991.